E3 2014: More Attendees, Fewer Exhibitors

48,900 video game industry professionals and journalists from more than 100 countries attended E3 2014, according to the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), which puts on the annual gaming trade show.

That’s slightly up from the 48,000 attendees the ESA reported after last year’s show, but it’s not all good news for the biggest gaming event of the year. E3 2013 hosted 230 exhibitors at the Los Angeles Convention Center, whereas this year’s E3 hosted only 200 exhibitors. The ESA said that both years generated nearly $40 million in revenue for the city of Los Angeles.

The ESA also said that E3 2014 surpassed its previous social media numbers on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, with over two million related posts on all those channels combined.

"The video game industry's explosive growth and technological innovation were front and center at E3 2014," president and CEO of the ESA Michael D. Gallagher said. "Video games are the most innovative and engaging force driving our culture and entertainment experiences the world over.”

E3 2015 will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center June 16-18, but In an interview with CNBC, Gallagher indicated E3 may leave the Los Angeles Convention Center in the future. "E3 is a world class show that deserves a world class venue. The Los Angeles Convention Center is no longer a top-tier property," he said.

Need to catch up on E3 2014? You can watch replays of the Microsoft, Electronic Arts, Sony, Ubisoft, and Nintendo press conferences right now.

Emanuel Maiberg is a freelance writer. You can follow him on Twitter @emanuelmaiberg and Google+.
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